Declaration and condemnation regarding the Aghribs area events in the Wilaya of Tizi Ouzou

All praise is due to Allah, the Exalted in the Might, the Prevailing. Peace and blessing be upon the Prophet whom Allah has chosen, upon his Family, his purified Companions and those who follow their footsteps with perfection in showing the obvious truth.

Indeed, a disastrous event struck this beloved country. It touched the creed and the holy things of the state. This terrible event is the destruction of one of Allah’s houses after the outrageous assault made on it –that is a mosque in Aghribs area in the Wilaya of Tizi Ouzou-.

Knowing that such events, that affect the holy things, had, already, taken place. Among these events, we state what occurred recently in the Wilaya of Setif, where the holy Qur’an was burned, soiled and profaned by a small band of corrupters and falsifiers.

Actually, the Salafi preachers condemn strongly these deeds which show the perpetrators hatred and hostility toward the Islamic holy edifices which must be built, maintained with faith, and of which the rites should be honored; for Allah عزّ وجلّ says:

﴿... فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ﴾ [النور: 36].

The meaning of the verse:

﴾ … in mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and in the evenings﴿ [An-Nûr (The Light): 36].

He says also:

﴿إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلاَّ اللهَ فَعَسَى أُولَئِكَ أَن يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ ﴾ [التوبة: 18].

The meaning of the verse:

﴾The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give Zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is excepted that those will be of the [rightly] guided﴿ [At-Tauba (The Repentance): 18].

As well, he who destroys them or participates in their destruction is threatened with a great punishment in this world and in the Hereafter; Allah عزّ وجل says:

﴿وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ مَنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللهِ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَى فِي خَرَابِهَا أُولَئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلاَّ خَائِفِينَ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾ [البقرة: 114].

The meaning of the verse:

﴾And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment﴿ [Al-Baqara (The Cow): 114].

In addition to that, the holy Qur’an, written in the copies, is really Allah’s Word:   

﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِالذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُ لَكِتَابٌ عَزِيزٌ، لاَ يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلاَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنزِيلٌ مِنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ﴾ [فصلت: 41-42].

The meaning of the verse:

﴾Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message after it has come to them… And indeed. It is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy ﴿ [Fussilat (The Detailed Verses): 41-42].

Therefore, It should be glorified and honored.

As for offending the holy Qur’an by soiling It and burning It; this is the deed of the people of falsehood. This deed is not known but inherent to the nature of the enemies of Allah عزّ وجل, who hate Islam and Muslims.  

Besides, the Salafi preachers are sure that the authorities in this Muslim country will treat these two events and other similar events, that touch the Islamic holy things, with what faith and piety dictates to them; with a view to uphold the brotherhood of the countrymen from being broken, to gather them around truth and religion and to act toward the wrongdoers and the falsifiers with what they deserve so that security can be achieved for the country and people.

At the same time, the Salafi preachers advise the Aghribs area dwellers to not face aggressiveness and hatred by the same. Nevertheless, they have to rely on Allah عزّ وجل, then on their governors in order to change the harm by the legal ways.

We ask Allah, the Almighty, the Sublime and the Omnipotent, to improve the situation of the Aghribs area and that of all Muslims, and to gather them around Tawhîd (monotheism), piety and religion. We ask Him, also, to remove their pain, guide them aright and grant them victory over the enemies of Islam and Muslims. O Allah, turn the plots of Your enemies against them, and we ask Your protection from their evils.                           

Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection. 

Algiers: Ramadhân 14^th, 1431 H
Corresponding to August 24^th, 2010 C.E